RFP Feasibility Study- Shared Use Paths-Northampton-6-2-21
Share Use Paths Feasibility Study
Request for Engineering Proposals (6/2/2021)
The City of Northampton is requesting quotes for engineering design services to for feasibility studies for
various shared use path (bicycle path) extensions in Northampton.
Proposals are due on Tuesday June 22nd at 6:00 PM to WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov
For questions or a site visit tour, contact Wayne Feiden at the above email address.
Background
Northampton has a robust shared use path (a/k/a bicycle path) network with approximately 12 miles of
paved paths, mostly interconnecting, including the MassCentral that will eventually connect to Boston
and the New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway that will eventually connect to New Haven. In
addition, one mile of trail is currently at the draft 100% plan stage and programmed in the TIP for 2025
constuction (Rocky Hill Greenway- south). (www.northamptonma.gov/1346/Shared-Use-Paths).
We are soliciting proposals for feasibility studies (approximately 10% design) for six major network
expansions. We have not established the priorities for these six projects since we watch for
opportunities based on willing sellers, appropriate approvals, engineering issues, costs, and funding.
The feasibility studies will help us understand opportunities, challenges, and estimates cost. We do not
want to overlap with later work we will be doing in the design phase, so we are looking for enough work
to help us advance the projects and think about next steps.
The selected firm will have no advantages or disadvantages for future 100% design contracts.
We do not expect new survey or topo (in some cases this is available and we have quality LiDAR for all
the sites) for this level of work. Consider how this constraint can be addressed. In some cases, this
probably just means providing us with enough information to think about the next steps.
Proposals should:
1. Include your approach to the project and anything that strengthens your proposal.
2. Provide separate pricing for each of the projects since we may only move on some of the projects.
3. Experiences/qualifications on past feasibility work. We do not need generic qualifications because
we have already seen those and are only sending this RFP firms whose work we know, respect, and
have worked with in the past.
Our six projects are (see attached locus plans), in no particular order
1. MassCentral to Hotel Bridge in Leeds. All of the land is already City owned, except for a very thin
stretch along the existing MassCentral Trail (the City only holds an easement on the National Grid
railroad right of way. Previously a Smith College engineering studio looked at this project and their
work will probably inform this project. This was a low project, but DPW is going to rehabiliate the
currently closed Hotel Bridge for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, at which point this link becomes
more desirable.
2. Connecticut River Greenway. The City owns a portion of the land, some is privately owned, and the
vast majority is owned by MassDOT as part of their ownership of the railroad. MassDOT has
expressed some willingness for a rail with trail, but there is one very significant pinch point where
the trail either would be very close to the train tracks or an extremely large and difficult to construct
bridge would be required. A past state grant paid for detailed topography and a quick possible route
assessment.
3. Rocky Hill Greenway Extension north. Most of this is local roads (which are fine for us) with a short
section of private property or DPW drinking water well property, but DPW believes that MassDEP
would not allow a trail on their property. The primary private property owner does not want to sell.
This is almost certainly our lowest priority until these issues change.
4. Rocky Hill Greenway Gap. There is a gap between the completed Ice Pond to Florence Road path
section and the completed Burts Pit Road to Stone Ridge Drive path section. The City holds an
easement through the Emerson Way subdivision, but that leaves a gap from Florence Road to
Emerson Way and Emerson Way to our current path. This project will help us identify the best route.
5. State Hospital Path. This path currently extends from the New Haven and Northampton Greenway
to the northerly end of Village Hill. The City owns a portion of the route (Mill River Greenway), one
privately owned parcel where a bridge across the river will be located, with the majority on state
land, which will take special legislation for approval. This study will help inform the state’s approval
process.
6. New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway/Hebert Ave ramp. This route would cross an
Eversource gas pumping station and City flood control levees. Any design would need to satisfy the
Army Corps of Engineers and Eversource standards. Previously a Smith College engineering studio
looked at this project and their work will probably inform this project.
Files in support of this project (Smith College engineering studios, surveys, etc) are at:
http://archive.northamptonma.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=714595&dbid=0&repo=CityOfNorthampt
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